Methods and systems to identify and validate coupon codes

Abstract

Methods and systems are disclosed which facilitate identification and validation of coupon codes. An example system includes a processor to receive a trigger to initiate a coupon code query based at least in part on a website being viewed. The example system includes a validation engine to search and retrieve coupon codes. The example validation engine is to apply one or more identified coupon codes to a target website to determine validity of each identified coupon code. The example processor is to dynamically provide one or more validated coupon codes to a user in conjunction with the website being viewed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a processor to receive a trigger to initiate a coupon code query based at least in part on a website being viewed; and   a validation engine to search and retrieve coupon codes, the validation engine to apply one or more identified coupon codes to a target website to determine validity of each identified coupon code,   wherein the processor is to dynamically provide one or more validated coupon codes to a user in conjunction with the website being viewed.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger comprises a user-selected trigger. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the system further comprises a bookmarklet installed with respect to a web browser, and wherein the trigger comprises a user selection of the bookmarklet while viewing the website. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is to dynamically provide one or more validated coupon codes relevant to a merchant associated with the website being viewed. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is to dynamically provide one or more validated coupon codes relevant to an item associated with the website being viewed. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is to dynamically provide one or more validated coupon codes via a results interface, the results interface to facilitate selection and copying of a coupon code to be applied to the website. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the results interface is to facilitate tracking of one or more items associated with a displayed coupon code. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the processor is to generate a message to the user with an update regarding one or more tracked items. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the results interface is to facilitate flagging of a displayed coupon code to indicate a problem with the coupon code. 
     
     
         10 . A method comprising:
 initiating, based on a trigger, a coupon code query based at least in part on a website being viewed;   searching for and retrieving one or more coupon codes using a processor;   applying, using the processor without further user input, one or more identified coupon codes to a target website to determine validity of each identified coupon code;   dynamically providing one or more validated coupon codes to a user in conjunction with the website being viewed; and   facilitating selection of a validated coupon code to be used with respect to the website being viewed.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the trigger comprises a user-selected trigger. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising facilitating installation of a bookmarklet with respect to a web browser, wherein the trigger comprises a user selection of the bookmarklet while viewing the website. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein dynamically providing further comprises dynamically providing one or more validated coupon codes relevant to a merchant associated with the website being viewed. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein dynamically providing further comprises dynamically providing one or more validated coupon codes relevant to an item associated with the website being viewed. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising facilitating tracking of one or more items associated with a displayed coupon code. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising generating, using the processor, a message to the user with an update regarding one or more tracked items. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising facilitating flagging of a displayed coupon code to indicate a problem with the coupon code. 
     
     
         18 . A tangible computer-readable storage medium including computer program instructions which, when executed by a processor, are to implement a method comprising:
 initiating, based on a trigger, a coupon code query based at least in part on a website being viewed;   searching for and retrieving one or more coupon codes using the processor;   applying, using the processor without further user input, one or more identified coupon codes to a target website to determine validity of each identified coupon code;   dynamically providing one or more validated coupon codes to a user in conjunction with the website being viewed; and   facilitating selection of a validated coupon code to be used with respect to the website being viewed.   
     
     
         19 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 18 , wherein the method further comprises facilitating installation of a bookmarklet with respect to a web browser, wherein the trigger comprises a user selection of the bookmarklet while viewing the website. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein dynamically providing further comprises dynamically providing one or more validated coupon codes relevant to at least one of merchant and an item associated with the website being viewed.